The Ibovespa slipped toward the 208,000 level on Wednesday after the release of a new poll for the presidential runoff between Senator Flávio Bolsonaro and President Lula. The Quaest survey showed a one-point difference between the candidates, with Bolsonaro at 45% and Lula at 44%. Given the two-point margin of error, the race remains statistically tied. However, compared with last week’s poll, Bolsonaro’s support declined by one percentage point.
Although Bolsonaro has yet to present detailed policy proposals, investors see him as more likely to advance fiscal reforms that could help bring down interest rates. In the financial sector, performance was mixed: Itaú and Bradesco inched higher, while Itaúsa and Caixa fell more than 0.5%. BB Seguridade added nearly 0.5%, and B3 climbed more than 1%.
In corporate moves, WEG sank nearly 5% after reporting net income below expectations. Vale lost more than 1% amid declining iron ore prices, and Petrobras edged lower as oil prices remained volatile.
